PANJIM: Velsao Sports & Cultural Club continued their four-game unbeaten run as they grabbed a crucial 1-0 win over Sesa Football Academy, in the GFA’s Goa Professional League, at Rosary ground, Navelim, on Monday.
Bersal Viegas scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute.
The win helped Velsao SCC move on to 15 points from 17 matches on par with Sesa FA who also have similar points from equal outings.
However, a superior head to head record helped Velsao SCC leapfrog their opponents to 11th place while Sesa FA now moved to the bottom of the table.
In a battle of the relegation threatened teams, the match lived-up to the expectations, as there was plenty of action in the game.
Velsao SCC had couple of chances to take the early lead but the strikers failed to score. First, Velsao’s midfielder Shamir Babu played a cut-back pass to the skipper, Joseph Pereira who was in the box, and the last man shot straight to the keeper.
Later, Velsao’s U-20, Romario Da Costa should have scored when he received a good delivery from a corner kick but he shot wide from close distance.
However, after much probing, Velsao finally took the lead in the 34th minute when a long throw-in from Umesh Puraj was flicked in the box by foreigner, Karamoko Usman to Bersal Viegas and the last man guided the ball to the back of the net with a simple tap-in to make it 1-0.
Sesa FA, who had started the Goa Pro League campaign on a positive note, suddenly found themselves in a struggling situation, and despite having some scoring chances, couldn’t get on the score-sheet.
Sesa FA’s Richard had made a brilliant move in the rival territory but just before the lad could pull the trigger with the goal at sight, Velsao’s Bersal wrongly tackled the lad just outside the box, giving away a free-kick. From the resultant free-kick, Richard’s effort was once again blocked by Bersal Viegas.
Velsao SCC led 1-0 at the break. In the second half, Velsao SCC did create chances but just couldn’t consolidate their lead. First, Jesloy Moniz made a solo run from the centre but couldn’t get past the rival keeper Sapan Singh. Then Velsao’s Inacio’s shot hit the cross bar from a distance and later Remedios’ effort also hit the woodwork and that went out of play.
Sesa FA also had an opportunity to draw level, when Domnic played a defence-splitting pass to Richard but the effort sailed over the bar. Velsao SCC are now unbeaten in their last four matches.
“The team played as a unit as every player contributed equally on the pitch. We have a greater understanding among us now and we are playing for the win. Our coach motivates us a lot and encourages us to give our best. I am glad to score the match-winner but more happy to get the three points for our team,” explained Velsao’s Bersal Viegas.
